Latching device



May 27, 1941- R MARPLE LATCH ING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l n IICIVENITOR Fol/a )[4 A T T ORNE Y May 27, 1941.

FiledDec. 5, 1939 s arm/'52 R. MARPLE LATCHING DEVICE 1 k v I #5; W

ig. V

2 Sheets-She INVENTOR Folio Mar 23:. BY

7%. 'TTORNEY struction particularly adapted eral type wherein the associated ?atented ay 27, 1943 lio Marple, .tachso'n, Mich ass I or to 3.,

' cock Manufacturing Company, Jackson, ltflch,

a corporation of Michigan Application December 5, 1939, do No. 307,645 13 01a. (Ci. 292-=2ldl The present invention relates to latching devices, and provides an improved latching confor, but not limited in its application, to automotive vehicles.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a latch construction of the genclosure'or other members are held in the closed cooperation between a holding member and a relatively fixed member, particularly characterized in that improved means are provided for acting against the holding member so as to afforda so-called take-up action; to provide such a construction including manually operable means holding means from the holding member so as to enable an opening movement of the associated closure members; to provide such a construction wherein the holding means consists of a single strut-like member, arranged to act between the holding member and its supporting structure, in such relation as to afford a substantial take-up action; to provide such a construction wherein the strut is both swingably and bodily movable, and is so guided that each component of swinging movement introduces a component of bodily movement, which'bodily movement in turn provides the take-up action; to provide such a structure wherein the strut acts directly between the holding member and a supporting case plate therefor, the case plate having a cam surface against which the strut bears in such relation that each component of swinging movement introduces a'component of bodily movement to produce the take-up action; and to provide such structures which may be economically manufactured and assembled, and

which are extremely reliable and eihcient in action.

With the above as well as other tailed objects in view, which appear in the following detailed description and in the appended claims, a preferred but illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views oi which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts and in'which:

and more depositions by the Figure l is a fragmentary view illustrating the application of the improved latch of the present invention to a vehicle door;

Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken alone the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is arr-interior view of the latch structure, taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2

Fig. 5 is a the line t-v-ti of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view,

corresponding 3, but showing Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed view, taken along the line l-i of Fig. 5.

It will be appreciated from acomplete understanding of the present invention that the improvements thereof may be embodied in latch constructions of widely varying types. In an illustrative but not in a limiting sense, the present improvements are herein disclosed in connection with a latch of the continuously rotatable bolt type, such for Referring particularly to improved latch 01 the present invention com-=- described upon the turn is suitably supported within the body of the retracting mechanism is provided for actuation by either the usual outside door handle or the 40, shown as being four in number-and equiangularly spaced.

view in vertical section, taken along the rotary bolt strut in released position rela- The bolt also comprises an inner or strut engaging series of tooth-like projections 42, also shown as being four in number andequiangularly spaced. The inner or strut engaging teeth 42 are, however, slightly angularly ofiset from the keeper engaging teeth 48. The flange Ml of the case plate is apertured as indicated at 86, to accommodate a generally circular fln 48 formed on the bolt 20 between the inner and-outer series of teeth 40 and 42. The bolt 28 is rotatably journaled in the case plate by means of a pin 58, cradle or housing member 52 which in turn is directly supported by the flange 44 of the case plate, and the inner end thereof is supported by means of a deck 54, which is secured to the case plate in inwardly spaced relation to the flange 44 thereof. The cradle or housing 52 not only acts to support the outer end of the bolt pin 58, but also acts to conceal the lower half of the. bolt, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the keeper 28, which may x5ev formed as a metal stamping, or the like, and is suitably secured to the pillar 88, comprises a tooth-like projection 88, which cooperates with one of the teeth 40 so as to hold the door 24 in fully closed position, and also comprises a retractable finger 82, which cooperates with the bolt 20 so as to hold the door 24 in the partially closed or safety position. The retractable finger 62 is positioned in advance of the projection 80, and is pivotally supported in the body of the keeper 28 by means of a pin 84. A spring 68 acts between the finger 82 and the body of the keeper to urge the latter in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, to a limit position in which the back of the finger abuts the supporting part 88 of the keeper.

As described hereinafter, the reaction between the bolt 28 and the keeper 28 has a horizontal component which tightly holds the door in the fully closed position, and also has a vertical component which is taken advantage of in the present instance to afford a dovetail action. To provide the dovetail action, the case plate is provided, in spaced relation above the bolt 20, with an abutment i8 between which and the bolt 28, the keeper 28 is received. It will thus be seen that the vertical reaction between the bolt 28 and the keeper 28 acts to wedge the keeper 28 between the abutment I8 and the bolt.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 5 and 6. the strut 32 is movably mounted between the flange 44 of the case plate. and the previously mentioned deck 54, in such relation that a roller 88 carried at one end thereof continuously bears against an arcuately formed cam member 82, the flange 84 of which cam member is secured to the flange 44 of the case plate as by welding at a plurality of points, such as 88. The'strut 82 has an elongated opening 88 extending transversely through the body thereof, which loosely receives a guide pin 88. The inner end of the guide pin 88 is secured to the previously mentioned deck 54.

The outer end of the guide pin 88 is supported in part by the previously mentioned fixed abutment I8, as is indicated at 82, and is supported in part by the'flange 44 of the case plate, as is indicated at 94. The width of the opening 88 is substantially equal to the diameter of the pin 98, so that the pin 88 constitutes a trunnion about which the ingposition of Fig. 3 to the fully retracted or released position of Fig. 6. The length of the slot 88, on the other hand, is such in relation to the the outer end whereof is supported hyastrut 32 may swing from the full holddiameter of the pin SO -that the strut 82 can move upwardly from the full holding position of Fig. 3 to the released position of Fig. 6. In order to continuously urge the strut 32 in a counterclockwise or locking direction, as viewed in Figs. ii-and 6, a spring 88 is provided, the central body portion whereof surrounds the pin 80, one end 88 whereof is hooked behind the laterally projecting foot I88 formed on the strut, and the other end I82 whereof is hooked behind the cam 82.

It will be understood that the roller 88 functions primarily to reduce the friction between the strut 82 and them 82, and in the present embodiment the roller 88 comprises the two axially spaced circular elements 82a and 82b, having the trunnion portion 820 between them, which trunnion portion is received in a slot I84 cut into the upper end of the strut 32.

As most clearly appears in Figs. Sand 6, the foot I88, which is formed integrally with the strut 32, projects into the path of the foot IIII of the previously mentioned retracting lever 84. With this relation, that a counterclockwise rotation of the lever 34, as viewed in Fig. 5, causes the foot I I0 thereof to move downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 6,.which action is effective to the full holding position of Fig. 3 to the retracted position of Fig. 6, in which latter position the lower end thereof is free of the inner or strut engaging teeth 42 of the bolt, thus enabling the latter to be freely rotated and the door to be opened. During this rotation of the strut 82, the spring 88, is wound up, and the reaction between the spring and the foot I00 of the strut 32 urges the strut upwardly, thus continuously maintaining the roller 88 in engagement with the cam surface 82.

The retracting lever 84 is rotatably mounted on the case plate, by means of a pin II2, which is secured to the base of the case plate and a usual coil spring H4 is provided to continuously urge the same in a clockwise direction, thus biasing this member to be held in the normal position of the parts, shown in Fig. 5. The outside roll-back member 86 is conventionally rotatably supported relative to the case plate, and in this instance, a spring H8 is provided to normally hold this roll-back in the position shown in Fig. 5. The roll-back 88 is conventionally associated with the usual squared spindle II8 associated with the outside door handle I20 (Fig. 1), and it will be understood that a clockwise rotation of the roll-back, under the influence of the han- -trol.

dle I28 is effective to rotate the retracting lever 84 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed,

in Fig. 5, by virtue of the engagement between the nose of the roll-back and the laterally turned foot I22, associated with the roller I24.

In the present instance, it is preferred to arrange the latch, in accordance with the disclosure of applicant's copending applications, Serial Nos. 235,928 and 235,983, both flied October 20, 1938, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, so that both the inside and outside handles may be rendered ineffective by operation of a single locking con- This locking control is illustrated as comprisingroller I24, which rides in an elongated slot I28 formed in the base of the case plate, and is movable from the lower or looking position, shown in Fig. 5, to an upper or unlocked position. In thelower or unlocked position, the roller I24 lies in the path of movement of the tail I28 of the retracting lever 84, and is thus it will be understood rotate the strut 32 from n Fig. 4, the bolt 20 rotates molding 24a. of the associated door it, and

terminates in a button 43d.

As is usual, it is preferred to arrange the lock so that a closing movement of the door automatically restores the locking roller 526 to the unlocked position. As described hereinafter, a closing movement of the door results in a swinging of the strut 32 from the active position of Fig. 3 to the inactive position of Fig. 6, and the corresponding downward movement of the foot lilo is relied upon to effect the justmentioned release of the locking member 925. As shown, a pivoted kick-oi? lever ltd is provided which is carried by the previously mentioned pin Hi2. One end [38 of the lever 9% lies in the path of downward movement of the foot MEL-and the other end MB of this lever is arranged to have a. cam relation to the roller 52%. It will be understood that the counterclockwise movement of the release lever ltd, resulting from the previously mentioned downward movement of the foot I00, enables the cam portion i lt thereof to force the locking roller itd from the looking position, shown in Fig. 5, to an upper position in which it is free, and out oi the path,

of movement of the tail I23 of the retractingv lever 3 3.

Considering now the operation oi the latch structure as a whole, it will be appreciated that the parts are shown in all figures except Fig. 6, in the fully closed position of the door and with the locking mechanism in the active or locked position. In this locked position, the

roller I25 lies in blocking relation to the path'of movement of the retracting lever 3d, thus rendering both inside and outside handles inefiective to release the latch. In order to condition the latch for operation by both the inside and outside handles, the hand button ltd (Fig. 3)

may be drawn upwardly, thus drawing the roller I24 upwardly out of the path of movement oi the lever 34. As soon as this is done, the lever 34 may be actuated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 6, by operating either the roll-back 36 or by operating the inside remote control mechanism (not shown) which as previously mentioned is connected to the lower end 38 of the lever 35. The resultant counterclockwise movement oi the lever 36 causes the foot H0 to bear downwardly against the .foot I00 of the strut 32 and rotate the latter in a clockwise direction from the holding position of Fig. 3 to the released position of Fig. 6. This movement releases the bolt 26 for free rotation and enables the door to be pulled to the open position, during which movement, as viewed in past the keeper projections and 62 much in the manner that a pinion meshes with an associated rack. As soon as the bolt 20 has passed both the projections 60 and62, the inside handle or the outside roll-back 36, as the case may be, may be released, at which timethe spring 9% associated with the strut 32 becomes eifective to swing the latter from the retracted position of Fig. 6 to the active position of Fig. 3.

During a closing movement of the door, which the inside or the outside handle, the bolt 20 moves to the left relative to the keeper 28, as viewed in Fig. 4. This movement brings whichever of the keeper engaging teeth so is upperthe bolt is enabled to swing the finger or to a retracted position and pass thereover without substantial obstruction and without causing any rotative movement of the bolt. As soon as the previously mentioned uppermost tooth of the bolt passes beyond the enabled to spring outwardly to the active position shown in Fig. 4, in whichlt presents a positive block to rightward or door opening movement of the bolt, unless the same is released by operation of either the inside or outside handle, as previously described. The finger $2 is thus efiective to hold the door in the partially closed or safety position.

Continued closing movementof the door brings the previously mentioned uppermost keeper ening tooth so into engagement with the keeper projection so, enab g the latter to tend to rotate the'loolt, in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, and in the counterclockwise,

direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. The rotative force thus applied to the bolt sing uppermost inner bolt tooth $2 to bear against the ck 32a of the strut 32, and to rotate the latter in a clockwise direction from the active position of Fig. 3 to the retracted position of Fig. *5. The bolt 2t thus rolls over the projection to. bringing the next successive keeper engaglng tooth to into engagement with the holding face that of the keeper projection to. The rolling movement of the bolt ultimately moves the previously mentioned uppermost inner strut engaging bolt tooth 62 beyondjthe lower end of the strut 32, as viewed in Fig. 6, enabling, the spring 96 associated therewith to start moving the strut 32 from the retracted position of Fig.

' 6 to the active position of Fig. 3.

' strut to move substantially.

- the full holding position, shown in Fig. 3. It is may be accomplished without operating either therewith causes the roller The counterclockwise movement of the strut 32 as influenced by the spring 98 associated to roll along the cam surface, 82, which action causes a bodily downward movement of the strut 32, .thus enabling the latter to apply a rotative force tothe bolt tending to rotate the latter in a direction and force the door to the fully closed position. Under normal conditions, the door is provided with rubber bumpers or the like, and even a relatively light door closing force is suificient to carry the door past the previously mentioned safety position and to a position in which'the door abuts and somewhat compresses the justmentioned bumpers. The normal door closing movement is thus effective to independently rotate the bolt to such a degree as to enable the if not entirely to.

to be noted, however, that in any holding position intermediate the full holding position of Fig. 3 and theinitial holding position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the strut 32 is efiective to positively prevent a reverse of door opening rotation of the bolt. It will any tendency of the bolt to rotate in a door opening orclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, causes the bolt tooth, designated 42 in Fig. 6, to bear upwardly against the lower end of the strut 32, which upward movement is, however, positively blocked by the bearing engagement finger 82, the latter is causes the correspond be appreciated that I .ring movement thus causes the mentioned reaction also is in such a direction as to have substantially no component in a direction tending to rotate the strut 32 from the holding to the retracted position, shown in full lines in Fig. 6. The door thus becomes fully latched against an opening movement as soon as the bolt rotates sufficiently far, during a closing movement of the door, to enable the strut 32 to move to the initial holding position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

With respect to the take-up action provided by the present construction, it will be appreciated that road shocks and the like may tend to cause a jarring of the door if the same is not initially moved to the fully closed position, shown in Fig. 3. Any such jarring action cannot cause the door to move in an opening direction, because of the holding action of the strut,'but itmay cause the door to move slightly towards a more fully closed position, thus enabling a'slight increment of movement in a counterclockwise direction of the strut 32, which increment of movement is accompanied by a corresponding bodily downward movement. The downward bodily movement in turn causes a closing direction and take up the just-mentioned closing movement of the door. The jardoor to ultimately advance from its initially closed position to a fully closed position, in which the strut 32 occupies the full holding position of Fig. 3.

Although only a single specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various modifications of the form, number and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and I scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a latch, means including a movable holding member for cooperating with a second mem-' ber to hold associated closure members in predetermined position, means including a swingable holding part disposed to bear against said means and wedge said means into engagement with said second member, and retaining means mounted in fixed relation to the axis of. swinging movementof said holding part against which said part is wedged by the reaction on said part of said first mentioned means.

2. In a latch, means including a movable holding member for cooperating with a second memher to hold associated closure 'members in predetermined position, means including a swingable holding part disposed to bear against said means and wedge said means into engagement 1 with said second member, retaining means mounted in fixed relation to the axis of swinging movement of said holding part against which said part is wedged by the reaction on said part of said first mentioned means, and means for moving said part out of wedging relation to said means so as to release said means from said second member.

3. In a latch, means including a movable holding member for cooperating with a second memher to hold associated closure members in predetermined position, a holding part mounted for swingable and bodily movement and disposed to engage said means in any of a plurality of its swingable positions and wedge said means into engagement with said second member, and retaining means having a surface against which said part bears, said surface acting to determine the position of said part along its path of bodily the bolt 20 to rotate in 'engage said means in any of a engage said means between the roller and the cam'82. The justmovement corresponding to each said swingable position thereof.

4. In a latch, means including a pivoted holding member for cooperating with a second member to hold associated closure members in predetermined position, a holding part mounted for swingable and bodily movement and'disposed to plurality of its swingable positions and wedge said means into engagement with said second member, and a retaining member fixed in position relative to the axis of the pivotal movement of said holding part and having a surface against which said part bears, said surface acting to determine the position of said part along its path of bodily movement corresponding to each said swingable position thereof.

5. In a latch, means including a movable holding member for cooperating with a second mem-' ber to hold associated closure members in predetermined position, a holding part mounted for swingable and bodily movement and disposed to engage said means in any of a plurality of its swingable positions and wedge said means into engagement with said second member, and re-' taining means having a surface against which said part bears, said surface actingto determine the position of. said part along its path of bodily movement corresponding to each said swingable position thereof, said holding part being wedged between said first mentioned means and said retaining means in each said swinging position of said holding part. l

6. In a latch, means including a movable holding member for cooperating with a second member to hold associated closure members in predetermined position, a holding swingable and bodily movement and disposed to in any of a plurality of its swingable positions and wedge said means into engagement with said second member, retaining means having a surface against which said part bears, said surface acting to determine the position of said part along its path of bodily movement corresponding to each said swingable position thereof, and means for swinging said holding part out of engagement with said first mentioned means so as to release said first mentioned means from cooperative relation to said second member.

'7. In a latch, means including a movable holding member for cooperating with a second member to hold associated closure members in predetermined positioma holding part mounted for swingable and bodily movement and disposed to engage said means in any of-a plurality of its swingable positions and wedge said means into engagement with said second member, retaining means having a surface against which said part holding part out of wedging relation to said first mentioned means.

8. In a latch, means including a pivoted holding member for cooperating with a second memacting to wedge said meansinto wedging enpart mounted for said swingable posiing member for ber to hold associated closure members in predesaid means and acting to wedge said means into wedging engagement with said second member, said cam being so shaped that each increment of swinging movement in one direction of said holding part causes a bodily movement thereof to increase said wedging efiect on said means, and means for moving said holding part out of wedging relation to said first mentioned means.

10. In a latch, means including a pivoted holding member for cooperating with a second member to hold associated closure members in predetermined position, a oam surface mounted in fixed relation to the axis of pivotal movement of said member, a holding part mounted for swing.- ing and bodily movements between said cam and said means and acting to wedge said means into wedging engagement with said second member, said cam being so shaped that each increment of swinging movement in one direction of said holding part causes a bodily movement thereof to increase said wedging efiect on said means, spring means for urging said holding part in said one direction and holding part 11. In a latc means including a pivoted holdcooperating with a second memtermined position, a cam surface mounted in fixed relation to the axis of pivotal movement. of said holding member, a holding part acting to wedge said means second member, means comprising a pin having a lost motion connection with the holding part for mounting the same for swinging and bodily movement in wedging relation between said first retracting means for moving said in the opposite direction out of wedging relation to said first mentioned means.

' ber to hold associated closure into holding relation to said 3 mentioned means and said cam, said cam being so shaped that each increment of swinging movement in one direction of said holding part causes an increment of bodily movement thereof and increases the wedging effect thereof on said first mentioned means.

12. In a latch, meansincludlng a pivoted holding member for cooperating with as'econd member to hold associated closure members in predeterminedposition, a cam surface mounted in fixed relationto the axis of pivotal movement of said holding member, a holding part acting to wedge said means into holding relation to said second member, means comprising'a pin having a lost motion connection with the holding part for mounting the same for swinging and bodily movement in wedgingrelation between said first mentioned means and said cam, said cam being so shaped that each increment of swinging movement in one direction of said holding part causes an increment of bodily movement thereof and increases the wedging effect thereof on said first mentioned means, and means for moving said holding part in the opposite direction out of holding relation to said first mentioned means. 4

13. In a latch, means including a pivoted holding member for cooperating with a second memtermined position, a cam surface mounted in fixed relation to the axis of pivotal movement of said holding member, a holdingvpart acting to wedge said means into holding relation to said second member, means comprising a pin having a lost motion connection with the holding part for mounting the same for swinging and bodily movement in wedging relation between said first mentioned means and said cam, said cam being so shaped that each increment of swinging movement in one direction of said holding part causes an increment of bodily movement thereof and increases the wedging eifect thereof on said first mentioned means, spring means for biasing said holding part in said one direction, means for moving said holding means in the opposite direction out of wedging relation to said first mentioned means.

ROLLO MARPLE.

members in predeand retracting 1 

